The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft ordered by Kuwait last November will be delivered to the latest Block III standards, which transform the already impressive Super Hornet into a fully networked fighter, fit for service into the 2040s. Jon Lake

A deal for between four and six P-8A maritime patrol aircraft was reportedly signed during a visit to Saudi Arabia by US President, Donald Trump, and his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson. Jon Lake reports.

Liebherr-Aerospace is one of the world’s leading aerospace systems original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with an unblemished reputation for quality. As Chuck Grieve reports, this is much due to hard work, continuous investment and a

Today’s asymmetric and counter-insurgency operations have placed a premium on persistent, cost-effective, armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and close air support aircraft that are able to detect and engage fleeting targets, and that can

The Middle East airline market has often been divided by the “haves” and the “have nots” but now a website that acts like eBay for used aircraft seats could solve a problem for smaller, cash-strapped carriers. Victoria Moores has been finding out more.

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has inducted the first of its newly acquired Eurofighter Typhoon swing-role fighters and BAE Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers, ushering in a new era for one of the UK’s oldest and closest regional allies. Jon Lake reports.

The Bahrain International Air Show is still a year away but more than 75% of exhibition space has already been sold. Bahrain’s Transportation and Telecommunications Minister, Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, talks to Alan Dron about the 2018 show, Gulf Air and island

A new international airport will serve the emirate of Ajman in the UAE from 2019. Keith Mwanalushi discusses the business case for the new gateway with John Grant, senior analyst at air travel intelligence specialist, OAG.

ATR is currently turning its turboprops into the backbone of Iran Air’s regional fleet as well as enjoying the dividends of its three decades of commitment to Africa and the Middle East. Vincent Chappard reports.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) is in transition. With the recent delivery of the first Pilatus PC-21 trainer aircraft, it has taken a huge step forward in its future fighter pilot training capabilities. Frank Mink visited Amman to see the new arrival in action.

The first Airbus A350-1000, the largest version of the A350 XWB twin-aisle airliner, will be delivered to Qatar Airways by the end of the year. But, asks Alan Dron, how will it fare in the Middle East?

In addition to its openly acknowledged procurement of three Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft, based on Bombardier’s Global 6000 platform, the UAE is also set to receive two further Global 6000s converted for electronic intelligence

Air Arabia’s cautious growth strategy and budget product may not have the ‘wow’ factor but, as the region’s glitzier airlines fly into turbulence, this low-cost carrier is proving that substance beats style every time. Group chief executive Adel Ali talked to Martin Rivers.

Satcom Direct (SD), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, now has its connectivity and avionic products flying on more than 7,000 business aircraft around the world, making it the world's largest business aviation service provider, according to

Dnata Travel was presented with the 'UAE's Leading Travel Agency' accolade for the fourth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2017, which took place in Dubai on 29 October.

A group of 20 Republican and two Democrat members of the US House of Representatives, led by Congressman Duncan Hunter, have written to President Donald Trump asking him to approve export sales of the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper armed

The harsh climate and environment of the Middle East and North Africa imposes unique challenges for military aviators – and particularly for the operators of rotary wing and vertical lift aircraft. Jon Lake reports.

Lebanon has never had a lot of money to spend on defence. As Alan Dron reports, its latest purchase, although modest, has an important role to play in maintaining the small nation's territorial integrity from Daesh terrorists.

America's ill-conceived laptop ban has been replaced by new, more robust mechanisms for protecting passengers. Martin Rivers talked to Abdul Wahab Teffaha, secretary general of the Arab Air Carriers' Organisation, about the need for a standardised global approach to

Iran has expressed interest in the continued development of its airports, particularly in the capital, Tehran. Keith Mwanalushi discusses the importance of this initiative with an expert from Lufthansa Consulting.

Traditionally, regional jets have not sold well in the Middle East. Now, as Alan Dron finds out, Brazilian manufacturer Embraer believes that the new E2 version of its E-Jet range may change that situation.

The Iraq Air Force is aiming to decrease its overseas training requirements.
It aims to improve its ability to train its pilots and maintenance technicians while significantly reducing costs and also enhancing its ability to take over the sustainment of its

Gama Aviation's brave move of its FBO from Dubai International Airport to Sharjah International Airport back in 2010 is paying off with a 45% increase in movements for the first four months of 2017. Dave Calderwood reports.

For years, Kuwait Airways languished in the doldrums with an obsolescent fleet and reputation for poor in-flight service. New aircraft, a better-trained workforce and improved ground facilities are now beginning to regenerate the Kuwaiti national carrier,

In the decade since it was first launched, the multi-crew pilot license (MPL) has courted its fair share of scepticism and criticism. But Victor Brandao, general manager, Alpha Aviation Academy in Sharjah, argues that, at a time when the

Dubai's main gateway will see passenger capacity reach 118 million by 2023. But achieving that ambitious target will mean boosting the number of A380 contact stands. Keith Mwanalushi checks in on progress.

The pace of new aircraft development and booming airliner sales worldwide is creating growing demand for flight training simulators. As Dave Calderwood finds out, TRU Simulation + Training is more than keeping up.

UAE national carrier Etihad has teamed up with Swiss company Lantal Textiles to create what is believed to be the Middle East's first laboratory specialising in flammability testing of aircraft cabin fabrics and other materials. Alan Dron reports.

New US and British governments regulations, which prevent passengers carrying electronic devices larger than a cell phone on flights from across the MENA region, may affect the latest in-flight entertainment trend. Steve Nichols investigates.

Saudi Arabia's armed forces are undergoing a major expansion programme, with a heavy emphasis on aviation. New helicopters are being delivered to a bewildering array of service branches – some of which have only recently established their own air arms. Jon Lake reports

Middle East business aviation users, who have been putting off investing in in-flight connectivity systems, don't have to wait any longer, thanks to a number of recent innovations. Steve Nichols reports.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is rarely mentioned in lists of cutting-edge technology but, when it comes to drones, the country punches well above its technological weight, as Mohammad Razazzan reports.

Saudi Arabia has successfully built up an impressive indigenous military aerospace engineering capability, making advances, especially in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). Jon Lake discovers that, not satisfied with the progress so far, the country has

In the post nuclear-sanctions world, Iran is talking about its capabilities developed over the past three decades to maintain an aviation industry. This has led to a whole series of indigenous helicopters, as Mohammad Razazzan reports.

Mauritania Airlines International is plotting slow, steady growth in a bid to avoid the fate of its predecessors. Martin Rivers and Vincent Chappard talk to Mohamed Radhy Ould Bennahi, chief executive of the third airline to fly Mauritania's flag in a decade.

Drones, or unmanned air systems (UAS), are starting to make their presence known in the Gulf – and not in a good way. Alan Dron assesses the problem and looks at what can be done to stop a potentially serious accident occurring.

With the burgeoning growth of the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market comes an increased demand for flight-testing of new systems and operator training. David Oliver looks at a new player in the market.

The visit of the Gulfstream flagship G650ER to Dubai World Central allowed Scott Neal, Gulfstream's senior vice-president of worldwide sales, the chance to show Dave Calderwood around the aircraft and explain why it is so vital to the Middle East.

As Omani low-cost carrier, Salam Air, takes to the skies, it must find a balance between not over-extending itself, yet ramping up sufficiently quickly to cope with an expected leap in tourist traffic to the country. Alan Dron reports.

ALAN WARNES in TURIN. – Among the many guests at the unveiling of the 500th Eurofighter at Leonardo's Turin-Caselle facility, on Tuesday was a small Kuwait delegation. It was headed up by the Kuwait Ambassador to Italy, His

The British Government has said that it is “deeply concerned” by reports of the Saudi use of UK weapons against civilian targets in Yemen, though Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he did not believe the “threshold” had been

Every year, millions of Muslims make their way to Mecca on the Haj and Umrah pilgrimages. As Alan Dron reports, these two events now constitute a major challenge for both the airlines and the airports that serve this massive flow of people.

A new international airport will serve the emirate of Ajman in the UAE from 2019. Keith Mwanalushi discusses the business case for the new gateway with John Grant, senior analyst at air travel intelligence specialist, OAG.